Handing Out Hardware

June 12, 2023

By: Carlos Alvarez

Welcome Back

Mid-June is championship central. We’re handing out four trophies from the weekend that was, and the NBA and NHL champs could both be decided in the next 48 hours. Get ready for an exciting week of handing out hardware in sports.

Letter Rip!

FRENCH OPEN

The New Slam King

\"\"/ — *Photo: NurPhoto / Getty Images*

Men: #3 Novak Djokovic Breaks Rafael Nadal\’s Record With 23rd Grand Slam Title at French Open

Move over, Rafa Nadal! There’s a new grand slam king. With the usual clay-court favorite out with injury at the 2023 French Open, Novak Djokovic stepped in to reclaim the grand slam titles record. On Sunday, Djokovic took down Casper Ruud in straight sets after a thrilling semifinal win over #1 Carlos Alcaraz. Alcaraz’s time is coming, and we all know that, but it’s still the era of the Djoker. At 36, he now holds 23 major titles and counting, the most of any player in men’s tennis history. Djokovic is just one away from Margaret Court’s all-time record (men or women) of 24.

French Open Finals

#3 N. Djokovic def. #4 C. Ruud (7-6, 6-3, 7-5)

Forbes: 23 Grand Slams, $510 Million — Djokovic’s Record-Breaking Career by the Numbers

______________________________________________________________________________________

Welcome to the Swiatek Era

\"\"/ — *Photo: DeFodi Images / Getty Images*

Women: #1 Iga Swiatek Makes History With 4th Consecutive Slam Finals Win at Roland Garros

Iga Swiatek’s recent run of slams continued on Saturday with her third French Open crown (in the last 4 years) and fourth grand slam overall, but it didn’t come without a fight. The Cinderella story of Karolina Muchova (42nd-ranked) pushed Swiatek deep into a three-set finale. Muchova won four games in a row in the second set, but it’s still Swiatek’s time at the top of women’s tennis. The Polish star has now won all four of her finals appearances in grand slams to open her career. She’s just 22 years old.

French Open Finals

#1 I. Swiatek def. K. Muchova (6-2, 5-7, 6-4)

Guardian: Third Roland Garros Win Sets Iga Swiatek on the Path to Greatness

______________________________________________________________________________________

SOCCER

Treble Complete: City Conquers Europe

\"\"/ — *Photo: Anadolu Agency / Getty Images*

Manchester City Defeats Inter (1-0) to Complete Treble & Win 1st UEFA Champions League Title

Manchester City got all they could handle from Inter in Saturday’s Champions League Final in Istanbul, but it was one goal from Rodri (Rodrigo Cascante) — a deciding blast on a loose ball from 15 yards — that made the difference in the scoreline. City worked possession into the six-yard box before a deflection popped the ball out beyond the penalty spot, and a sprinting Rodri put the dead ball in a cannon for the only goal of the game. Down the stretch, City goaltender Ederson was tasked with the shutout, and he came through with a pair of incredible saves in the late going. Inter fired twice as many shots (14-7) and more attempts on goal (6-4), but it was City’s day in the end

Manager Pep Guardiola and City fans can finally celebrate the big one. It’s the decorated club’s first Champions League crown, and it marks just the 10th treble by any club in European history — league title (Premier League), domestic cup (FA Cup), and European championship (Champions League).

Fun Fact: Erling Haaland won his second Champions League Golden Boot Award (12 goals). Only one other player has won the award twice before the age of 23 (Lionel Messi).

Watch: Man. City def. Inter (1-0) for 1st Champions League Title

Yahoo! Sports: Manchester City’s Champions League Celebrations in Pictures

Forbes: Manchester City Wins Treble: Here are the Big Numbers Behind the Club’s Success

______________________________________________________________________________________

FINALS REWIND

Nuggets 1 Win Away

Denver Relies on Role Players in Game 4 (108-95) to Reach Brink of 1st NBA Title

One more game for the Denver Nuggets… Game 4 brought a twist to the NBA Finals on Friday night in Miami. The Nuggets’ two superstars made history with 30-point triple-doubles in Game 3, but Game 4 was about the role players. Aaron Gordon (27) and Bruce Brown (21) combined for 48 points in a low-key night for Nikola Jokic (23) and Jamal Murray (15). Denver shot lights-out from 3 (50%), and held Miami under 100 points for the third time in the series. The Heat’s lack of offensive firepower appears to be the deciding factor while the Nuggets seem to get offense from anyone at any time. It’s back to altitude and the Rocky Mountains for Game 5 and a potential Finals-clinching trophy celebration tonight.

NBA Finals Highlights

Gm 4: Nuggets def. Heat (108-95)

NBA Finals Schedule

Gm 5: Heat at Nuggets (Tonight, 8:30 pm ET)

DEN Leads Finals (3-1)

Yahoo!: Down 3-1 in NBA Finals, Heat Looking for Inspiration Any Place They Can Find It

______________________________________________________________________________________

Golden Knights on the Brink

\"\"/ — *Photo: Bruce Bennett / Getty Images*

Vegas Closes In On 1st Stanley Cup With Game 4 Win (3-2)

The blues in South Florida continued on Saturday when the Panthers dropped Game 4 to the Golden Knights (3-2) and saw their Stanley Cup hopes dwindle. Vegas jumped out to a 3-0 lead behind goals from Chandler Stephenson (2) and William Karlsson. The Panthers got aggressive down the stretch to pull within one, but it was too little too late. The series heads back to Vegas on Tuesday night for the potential Cup-clinching Game 5. Vegas could be ready to celebrate the city’s second pro sports title in two years (Aces, 2022) after not having a professional franchise until 2017.

Stanley Cup Finals Highlights

Gm 4: Golden Knights def. Panthers (3-2)

Stanley Cup Finals Schedule

Gm 5: Panthers at Golden Knights (Tues. 8:00 pm ET)

VGK Leads Finals (3-1)

NHL: Matthew Tkachuk’s Injury Status Unclear for Game 5

______________________________________________________________________________________

HIGHLIGHTS

MLB

Pirates’ Andrew McCutchen Gets Hit No. 2,000

Last-Place A’s Sweep Brewers, Winners of 5 Straight

Red Sox Get Last Laugh With 10th-Inning Walk-Off in Bronx

Rockies’ Nolan Jones Crushes MLB\’s Longest Walk-Off HR Since 2015 (472 Feet)

PGA

Oh, Canada! Nick Taylor’s Putt of a Lifetime

Canadian Nick Taylor (-17) won the RBC Canadian Open on Sunday with a 72-foot eagle putt in the 4th playoff hole against Tommy Fleetwood (-17). The 35-year-old from Winnipeg is the first Canadian to win the event since 1954. He shot a 3-over 75 in Round 1 before making a stunning comeback. Canadian fans stormed the green.

WNBA

Arike Ugonbowale Pours in 35 in Wings’ Win

Liberty’s Sabrina Ionescu Drops Career-High 37 With Eight 3s

Aces Get Back on Track Behind A’ja Wilson’s Double-Double

UFC 289

Charles Oliveira TKOs Beneil Dariush in 1st Round

Amanda Nunes Wins Bantamweight Title, Retires 2-Division Champ

______________________________________________________________________________________

NEWS